Spencer's Eagle Project

We had two tragedies this past year with two students passing away that had both attended Quartz Hill Elementary.  Spencer and his good friend, Mason Romney, decided they wanted to do their Eagle Projects as a remembrance for these two students.  The principle there, Michael Hallock, suggested one boy to have two memorial benches made and the other boy to build a Gaga Ball Pit, which is a game that many 6th graders love because they play it at Science Camp.  Spencer decided to take on the Gaga Ball Pit and Mason chose the benches.  

Spencer and Jashar Brown collecting donations

Mason and Spencer posted flyers and notices that the scouts would coming and collecting donations.  Together the boys raised over $5000 for this project.  It was amazing to see and feel the support of neighbors and friends.  

This project took months and months to organize, order supplies, and finally to build.  I have never seen two 14 year old boys work so hard to put this event together.  We were super proud of them!

The man cutting the wood is the father of one of the students who died.  It was so special that he and his family came out to help.

Here Spencer and Mason are gluing the memorial plaques on the benches and the podium listing all the families who donated. 

A local landscaper donated his time and materials to make the paver benches, platform, and edging.  We can't thank him enough for all he did.  It turned out absolutely beautifully!

That's the look of two completely satisfied and proud boys.

Grandma Chamberlain was in town and she was so impressed when she came down and saw what he had done!

Mr. Hallock had a special ceremony organized at the school with all of the 6th graders.  The band played several numbers, then the boys each gave a small speech.  This project is very special to Spencer in that Kohler's Eagle Project is just a few feet away in the same playground as the Sand Volleyball Pit.  Both brother's projects are side by side.  

At the end of the ceremony, every student took a balloon, made a wish, then on the count of 3, everyone let go of their balloons and it was really powerful watching them ascend up into the sky.  Both families of the students who passed away were present and many had tears in their eyes.  

After the balloon ceremony, they opened up the Gaga Pit for kids to play.  It was so much fun watching kids have a good time playing in that pit that took so long to build.  What an accomplishment!